The gift of compassion

What I wanted for Christmas — and what I’m giving myself this year — can’t be bought in any store. I’m giving myself the gift of being more compassionate.

Just like me, other people have known sadness and suffering. Just like me, other people have felt loneliness and despair. Just like me, other people are searching for understanding and meaning in their life.

Today, and in the days to come, I will try to open my heart more. A smile, a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, a listening ear. Such simple acts. I believe most people are inherently good unless they give me a reason to think otherwise. And to those who do, I will try to imagine the difficulties they might be dealing with and practice compassion anyway.